Cuba Criticizes Foreign Meddling in Venezuela’s Internal Affairs

Cuban President Raul Castro (l) and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez (c) have expressed their support to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro/Photo: EFE

Cuba Criticizes Foreign Meddling in Venezuela’s Internal Affairs

April 20, 2017

Foreign powers are stoking the political crisis in Venezuela by emboldening an uncompromising and violent opposition.

The Cuban government has called on the international community to respect the sovereignty of Venezuela and to stop interfering in its internal affairs.

Cuba Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said that “Venezuela is a sovereign state, with a democratically elected and legitimate government” after a meeting as part of an official visit to Lisbon to meet his Portuguese counterpart, Augusto Santos Silva.

He reiterated that these actors “should avoid any interference in internal affairs that encourage a coup and extreme violence.”

Rodriguez said his country has a “very fraternal” relationship that unites Cuba with Venezuela.

He added that it is “very important” that the international community issue a statement “in favor of social peace and dialogue.”

“I have all the confidence that Venezuelan institutions will respect the law and the Constitution, and I am sure that proper conduct, with full respect for the sovereignty of the state, is appropriate at this moment,” Rodriguez said.

Large marches, in support and against the government took place yesterday in Caracas. Three people were killed, including a national guard member, during violent protests by the opposition.